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Capital One Quicksilver vs First Progress Platinum Prestige Mastercard Secured: Which Is Better In 2026?
July 1, 2025

Editor's Picks
- Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card: This card is ideal for everyday spenders who want simple, flat-rate cash back on all purchases without an annual fee or foreign transaction fees.
- First Progress Platinum Prestige Mastercard® Secured Credit Card: This secured card is designed for individuals with limited or poor credit who want to build their credit history while earning cash back.
Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Breakdown
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Why We Like It
Here’s a breakdown of why we like the Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards (See Rates & Fees).
- Its rewards program is incredibly straightforward, allowing you to earn on every purchase without tracking special categories.
- The card is a smart choice for international travel, letting you make purchases abroad without incurring extra charges.
- It provides access to valuable perks, such as a complimentary membership with a popular ride-sharing and delivery service.
Pros
- You can earn unlimited cash back on every purchase without having to track rotating categories or spending caps.
- Rewards are highly flexible, allowing you to redeem your cash back at any time for any amount, and they do not expire for the life of the account.
- The card’s straightforward structure makes it an excellent choice for those who are new to rewards credit cards.
Cons
- Other cards may offer higher cash back rates in specific spending categories.
- Approval generally requires a good to excellent credit score.
- A balance transfer fee applies to balances transferred at a promotional rate.
First Progress Platinum Prestige Mastercard® Secured Credit Card Breakdown
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Why We Like It
Here’s a breakdown of why we like the First Progress Platinum Prestige Mastercard® Secured Credit Card.
- The application is accessible to those with limited or no credit history and won't result in a hard inquiry on your credit report.
- It offers cash back rewards on purchases, a feature not commonly found on secured credit cards.
- Cardholders benefit from a relatively low interest rate, which can help minimize costs if you carry a balance.
Pros
- The application process does not include a hard credit inquiry, so applying won't negatively impact your credit score.
- Your payment history is reported to all three major credit bureaus, helping you build a positive credit history with responsible use.
- It is accessible to applicants with limited or poor credit and provides flexible options for funding the security deposit.
Cons
- The card comes with an annual fee.
- It does not offer an upgrade path to an unsecured card, so you must close the account to get your security deposit back.
- The issuer provides a limited digital experience with no mobile app and relies on traditional mail for many services.
First Progress Platinum Prestige Mastercard® Secured Credit Card vs Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards
Categories
When trying to decide which is better, Capital One Quicksilver or First Progress Platinum Prestige Mastercard Secured, it's important to understand that these cards are designed for very different types of consumers. Each excels in its own category, catering to distinct financial needs and goals.
- Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card - This card is best for everyday spenders who want a simple cash back card for all their purchases without needing to track special categories.
- First Progress Platinum Prestige Mastercard® Secured Credit Card - This card is ideal for individuals looking to build or rebuild their credit history while also earning cash back rewards.
Redemption
Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card: Redemption is straightforward and flexible, allowing you to receive your cash back as a statement credit or a check. There are generally no minimums, so you can access your rewards whenever you like.
First Progress Platinum Prestige Mastercard® Secured Credit Card: Rewards are automatically applied as a statement credit to your account. This simplifies the process and directly helps to lower your outstanding balance.
Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos
Kudos is a smart wallet and browser extension that helps you compare thousands of credit cards to find the perfect match for your spending patterns.
- Test Drive Cards: Simulate potential earnings from different cards using your actual spending data before you apply, without impacting your credit score.
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- Kudos Boost: Earn extra rewards on top of your credit card’s regular rewards when you shop at participating stores.
- Welcome Offer Guarantee: If you find a better public welcome offer for a card you got through Kudos within three months, Kudos will match it.
- Automatic Card Selection: At checkout, the Kudos extension automatically fills in the best card from your wallet to maximize rewards on that purchase.
Who Should Choose the Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards?
The Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card is an excellent choice for individuals who prioritize simplicity and consistent value over complex rewards structures. It's particularly well-suited for the 'set it and forget it' spender who wants to earn a flat 1.5% cash back on every purchase without the hassle of tracking rotating categories. Furthermore, frequent travelers and regular Uber users will find significant value in the card's lack of foreign transaction fees and its complimentary Uber One membership.
Who Should Choose the First Progress Platinum Prestige Mastercard® Secured Credit Card?
The First Progress Platinum Prestige Mastercard® Secured Credit Card is specifically designed for individuals with limited or poor credit who want to build or rebuild their credit history. Its relatively low 14.24% variable APR makes it a practical choice for those who anticipate carrying a balance occasionally and want to minimize interest costs. Because the card does not require a hard credit inquiry or a minimum credit score for approval, it's an accessible starting point for those who may have trouble getting approved elsewhere.
Alternatives to Consider
Decided that neither card is right for you after comparing the Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards vs. the First Progress Platinum Prestige Mastercard® Secured Credit Card? No problem—let's explore a few other top-tier alternatives.
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Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.
Tips for Application Success
Before You Apply
- Check your credit score - Requirements range from excellent credit for some cards to no credit history for others.
- Understand the requirements - Some cards require a security deposit while others have a minimum spend for a welcome offer.
- Define your goal - Decide if you are applying to earn rewards or to build your credit history.
Application Strategy
- Time your application wisely - Align your application with large planned purchases to help meet any minimum spending requirements.
- Know the application process - Some applications involve a soft pull, allowing you to see an offer before a hard inquiry impacts your credit.
- Be patient and persistent - If you don't get the offer you want, some issuers let you decline and try again later without a credit impact.
Our Methodology
We evaluate nearly 3,000 credit cards across the U.S. market — far more than the ~150 cards commonly featured on sites that focus only on products tied to affiliate commissions. Our goal is to provide a comprehensive, unbiased view of the credit card landscape so you can make confident, data-driven decisions.
Our editorial team combines deep industry experience with rigorous verification standards. While our experts surface the most relevant recommendations in our guides, you can also explore the full dataset yourself through our card explorer tool, which includes thousands of cards — more than 95% of which do not provide us with commissions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main difference between a secured and an unsecured credit card?
A secured credit card requires a refundable security deposit to open the account, which usually sets your credit limit. An unsecured card, like the Capital One Quicksilver, does not require a deposit and grants a credit line based on your creditworthiness.
Do I need a good credit score to get approved for these cards?
The Capital One Quicksilver typically requires good to excellent credit for approval. In contrast, the First Progress Platinum Prestige Mastercard® Secured Card is designed for those with poor or limited credit history, making it more accessible.
Can I earn cash back with the First Progress Platinum Prestige Mastercard Secured?
No, the First Progress Platinum Prestige Mastercard® Secured Card does not offer a rewards program. The Capital One Quicksilver, on the other hand, is a cash back rewards card that earns a flat rate on every purchase.
Is there an annual fee for both cards?
The Capital One Quicksilver has no annual fee. The First Progress Platinum Prestige Mastercard® Secured Card, however, does charge an annual fee.
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Editorial Disclosure: Opinions expressed here are those of Kudos alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.













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